Manual starter and shift interlock mechanism

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a starter including a rotatable starter shaft, a pinion carried on the shaft for movement relative to the shaft and to an engaged position in mesh with an engine starting gear, means for rotating the starter shaft in opposite directions, cooperating means on the shaft and on the pinion for displacing the pinion to the engaged position in response to rotation of the shaft in one direction, a recess in the starter shaft, and a bolt cooperating with the recess in the shaft and selectively locatable in a first position in the recess for preventing rotation of the shaft in the one direction and in a second position withdrawn from the recess for permitting rotation of the shaft. The marine propulsion device also includes a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and a linkage connecting the transmission to the bolt for displacing the bolt to the first position when the transmission is in a drive condition and for displacing the bolt to the second position when the transmission is in neutral position.

United States Patent 11 Burmeister et a1.

[ 1 Feb. 18,1975

1 MANUAL STARTER AND SHIFT llNTERLOCK MECHANISM [75] Inventors: Dennis N. Burmeister; Adolph J.

Yourich, both of Waukegan, 111.

[73] Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation,

Waukegan, 111.

22 Filed: May 31,1973 r21 Appl. No.:365,5t19

[52] US. Cl. 123/179 K, 74/850, 123/185 B [51]- int. Cl. F02n 15/06, F02n 15/10 [58] Field of Search 123/179 K, 185 A, 185 B,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,998,809 9/1961 Thomas 123/179 K 3,518,979 7/1970 Harkness...... 123/179 K 3,739,763 6/1973 Berry et a1. 123/179 K 3,741,187 6/1973 Niebur et al..... 123/179 K 1/1974 McBride 123/179 K Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Assistant Examiner-W. Rutledge Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael, Best & Friedrich ABSTRACT Disclosed herein is a marine propulsion device comprising a starter including a rotatable starter shaft, a pinion carried on the shaft for movement relative to the shaft and to an engaged position in mesh with an engine starting gear, means for rotating the starter shaft in opposite directions, cooperating means on the shaft and on the pinion for displacing the pinion to the engaged position in response to rotation of the shaft in one direction, a recess in the starter shaft, and a bolt cooperating with the recess in the shaft and selectively locatable in a first position in the recess for preventing rotation of the shaft in the one direction and in a second position withdrawn from the recess for permitting rotation of the shaft. The marine propulsion device also includes a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and a linkage connecting the transmission to the bolt for displacing the bolt to the first position when the transmission is in a drive condition and for displacing the bolt to the second position when the transmission is in neutral position.

9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAT 'TEU FEB 1 8 m5 MANUAL STARTER AND SHIFT INTERLOCK MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to starter mechanisms for internal combustion engines generally and for internal combustion engines such as are included in marine propulsion devices having reversing transmissions. It has been sometimes previously possible to initiate engine starting operation when the transmission is in gear. Such operation is undesirable for various reasons including the possibility of sudden lurching of the boat supporting the marine propulsion device.

Previous arrangements for preventing engine starting operation by a starter when a reversing transmission is in a drive condition are found in the Barry et a]. application, Ser. No. l56,227, filed June 24, I971, now US Pat. No. 3,739,763, the Neibur and Peters application, Ser. No. 250,041, filed May 3, I972, now US. Pat. No. 3,74l,l87, and in the McBride application, Ser. No. 272,552, filed July 17, 1972, now US. Pat. No.

3,782,350, and all being commonly assigned.

Other examples of previous arrangements for preventing engine starting operation when a reversing transmission is in a drive condition are found in the Russey et al. US. Pat. No. 2,997,996, issued Aug. 29, I961 and in the Nikonow US. Pat. No. 1,231,637, issued July 3, 1917.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a marine propulsion device comprising an engine having a starting gear, a starter including a rotatable starter shaft, a starter pinion carried on the starter shaft for movement relative to the shaft and to an engaged position in mesh with a starting gear, means for rotating the starter shaft in opposite directions, means cooperating with the starter shaft and with thel starter pinion for displacing the starter pinion to the position in mesh with the starting gear in response to rotation of the starter shaft in one direction, and means cooperating with the shaft and selectively locatable in a first position for preventing rotation of the starter shaft in the one direction and in a second position for permitting rotation of the starter shaft.

, which is movable axially into a recess in the starter shaft to prevent starter shaft rotation and which is movable from the recess outwardly to a retracted position permitting free rotation of the starter shaft. The bolt is connected by a cam to the transmission operating mechanism so as to cause withdrawal of the bolt from the recess when the transmission is in. neutral and thereby to allow engine starting operation of the starter mechanism, and so as to permit the bolt to move into the recess under the action ofa biasing spring when the transmission is in a drive condition, there by preventing operation of the starter mechanism.

The invention also provides for displacement of the bolt outwardly from the recess in the starter shaft against the action of a biasing spring in response to starter shaft rotation in the opposite direction from that which is normally effective to displace the starter pinion to the position in engagement with the starting gear.

One of the principal features of the invention is the provision of a marine propulsion device including means for preventing operation of a starter mechanism when the transmission is in a drive condition. Another of the principal features of the invention is a starter mechanism lockout device including a bolt which is selectively movable into and out of .a recess in a starter shaft to prevent and permit rotation thereof.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an outboard motor embodying various of the features of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the mechanism shown in FIG. 1 with a part being shown in side elevation and partially in section and with another part being shown in perspective.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 33 ofFlG. 2.

Before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of parts set forth in the following general description or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Shown in the drawings is a marine propulsion device which embodies various of the features of the invention, which can take various forms and which, in the illustrated construction, is in the form of an outboard motor 11. Included inthe outboard motor is a propulsion unit 13 comprising a powerhead I7 and a lower unit 21. The powerhead 17 includes an engine block 23 including a starting or flywheel gear 27 and a starter or starter mechanism 29 mounted on the engine block 23 and adapted to be actuated so as to engage the starting gear 27 and rotate the engine to initiate operation.

The lower unit 21 includes a portion which is normally under water, which rotatably supports a propeller 31, and which includes a clutch or reversing transmission 33 shiftable between a neutral condition and each of a forward drive and a rearward drive condition.

The transmission 33 is operated by a control rod 37 which extends vertically in the lower unit 21, which is operatively connected at its lower end to the reversing transmission 33, and which, at its upper end, emerges in proximity to the engine block 23. At its upper end, the control rod 37 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a lever 39 mounted on one portion of a suitably rotatably supported shift control shaft 41 which, at one end, extends exteriorly of a power head cover 43 and is adapted to be operated by an operating lever 42, i.e., rocked so as to actuate the transmission 33, either manually or by remote means connected thereto.

The starter mechanism 29 includes a housing or mounting bracket 47 which is connected to the engine block 23 and which includes a vertically extending bore 49 carrying a starter drive shaft 51. Carried by the starter drive shaft 51 for rotary and axial movement relative thereto, is a starter pinion 53 which is movable between a first or engaged or advanced position in mesh with the starting gear 27, and a second or retracted or lockout position which is located below the engaged position and out of engagement with the starting gear 27 (See FIG. 2).

Means are provided for rotating the starter shaft 51 to enable displacement of the starter pinion 53 to its engaged position and, when the starter pinion 53 is engaged with the starting gear 27, for initiating engine operation. Various arrangements can be employed. In the illustrated construction, such means comprises connection of the lower end of the starting shaft 51 to a pulley 57 which, in turn, has anchored thereto a pull rope (not shown).

The upper end of the starter shaft 51 is fixedly connected to a recoil spring 59 which is housed in a recess 61 in the mounting bracket 47 and has its other end anchored to the mounting bracket 47. Thus, in operation, when the pull rope is pulled, the starter shaft 51 initially rotates in a first direction, counterclockwise as seen in FIG. 3, to thereby coil the spring 59. Subsequently, the recoil spring 59 uncoils or unwinds, and thereby rotates the starter shaft 51 in the opposite direction, clockwise in FIG. 3, and simultaneously rewinds the pull rope on .the pulley 57. Other means can be employed within the ially inclined and circumferentially extending, together with a drive pin 79 which extends fixedly and diametrically from the starter shaft 51 and has opposite ends received in the slots 71. A single slot together with a drive pin having a single end received in the slot is within the scope of the invention, as well as location of the slot in the shaft and employment of a pin extending from the pinion into the slot in the shaft.

The slots 71 and drive pin 79 are arranged such that, when the starter pinion 53 is located in the beforementioned retracted position, the drive pin 79 is located at the upper end of the inclined slots 71 and rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the first or counter clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 3, will result in movement of the starter pinion 53 from the retracted position to the engaged .position, followed by starting rotation of the engine.

Rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the counter clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 3, together with receipt of the drive pin 79 in the slots 71, causes advancement the mounting bracket 47. Because of the frictional drag imposed by the spring 81 against common rotation of the starter pinion 53 with the starter shaft 51, initial rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the counter clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 3, causes advancement of the starter pinion 53 from the retracted to the engaged position. As is usual, ignition of the engine will cause engine operation as a rotational speed much in excess of the rotational speed of the starter pinion 53 and thereby serves to cause retraction of the starter pinion 53 from the engaged position toward the retracted position.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided means cooperating with the starter shaft 51 and selectively locatable in a first position preventing rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the direction to afford movement of the starter pinion to the engaged position and to a second position freely permitting rotation of the starter shaft 51. In further accordance with the invention, the selectively locatable means is connected to the transmission 33 so as to locate such selectively locatable means in the first position when the transmission 33 is in a drive condition and so as to locate such selectively locatable means in the second position when the transmission 33 is in neutral.

While various arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated and preferred construction, such means includes a bore 91 extending in the bracket or housing 47 in generally radial relation to the axis of the starter shaft 51, and a bolt 93 which is axially movable in the bore 91 and whichincludes an inner end portion 95 movable relative to a recess 97 (see FIG. 3) in the starter shaft 51 between a first or inserted position in which the inner end portion 95 of the bolt 93 is located in the recess 97 to prevent rotation of the starter shaft 51 relative to the housing 47 and an outer or withdrawn or retracted position in which the inner end portion 95 of the bolt 93 is withdrawn from the recess 97 to thereby permit free rotation of the starter shaft 51 within the bracket or housing 47.

In further accordance with the invention, means are provided for biasing the bolt 93 into the inserted or first position. While various arrangements can be employed, in the illustrated and preferred construction, such means comprises providing the bore 91 with inner and outer counterbores 101 and 103 respectively and locating a helical biasing spring 105 in the inner counterbore 101 and around the bolt 93 in engagement, at its inner end, with a snap ring 107 on the bolt 93, and in engagement, at its outer end, against a retainer 109 which is threaded into the outer counterbore 103 and is centrally apertured to guide axial movement of the bolt 93.

In still further accordance with the invention, the recess 97 in the starter shaft 51 is formed so as'to cause outward displacement of the bolt 93 against action of the spring 105 in response to rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 3. In this regard, the bore 91 is located in parallel offset relation to a radial line extending from the axis of the starter shaft 51, and the recess 97 includes spaced walls 111 and 113 which are respectively engageable, when the bolt 93 is in the inserted position, against the side of the inner end portion 95 of the bolt 93 and against the inner end of the bolt 93. Accordingly, attempted rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the counter clockwise direction, as shown in FIG. 3, is prevented by engagement of the recess surface 111 with the side of the inner end portion 95 of the bolt 93. When the starter shaft 51 is rotated in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 3, the recess surface 113 engages the end of the bolt 93 and forces th bolt 93 axially outwardly of the bore 91 against the action of the spring 105 in a ratchet-like manner to accommodate rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the clockwise direction.

In still further accordance with the invention, means are provided for selectively locating the bolt 93 in its inserted and withdrawn positions in accordance with the condition of the transmission 33. More specifically, the transmission 33 is connected to the bolt 93 by a linkage 121 which allows the spring 105 to locate the bolt 93 in the inserted position when the transmission 33 is in a drive condition and which, when the transmission 33 is in neutral, withdraws the bolt 93 to the retracted or withdrawn position to permit starter shaft rotation in the direction which is effective to engage the starter pinion '53 with the starting gear 27.

While other constructions are possible, in the illustrated and preferred construction, the linkage 121 comprises a cam or link 123 which, at one end, is pivoted to an arm 125 extending fixedly from the shaft shift control 41 and which, at the other end, enters into a slot 127 in the outer end of the bolt 93.

The cam or-link 123 includes a profile 131 which includes, in series, a first recess portion 133, a raised portion 135, and a second recessed portion 137 which are arranged in series to be respectively located in the slot 127 at the outer end of the bolt 93 when the transmission 33 is in forward drive, in neutral, and in reverse drive.

The cam 123 is operably connected to the bolt 93 by means for retaining the cam profile 131 in the slot 127 and so as to cause withdrawal of the bolt 93 from the starter shaft recess 97 when the transmission 33 is in neutral, so as to permit insertion of the bolt 93 into the starter shaft recess 97 by the spring 105 when the transmission 33 is in forward or rearward drive, and so as to permit outward ratcheting movement of the bolt 93 in response to rotation of the starter shaft 51 in the clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 3. While other means can be employed, in the disclosed construction, such means is in the form of a cross pin 141 which acts as a spring biased follower engaged with the profile 131. If desired, the connection between the transmission 33 and the bolt 93 could 'be positive in both directions.

Thus, the upper end of the link could be provided with a cam slot (not shown) which would positively control movement of the bolt 93 in accordance with the condition of the transmission 33.

In operation, movement of the shift lever 42 to forward or reverse drive locates the cam profile 131 so as to permit the spring 105 to insert the bolt 93 into the starter shaft recess 97 to thereby prevent starter shaft rotation which is otherwise effective to engage the starter pinion 53 with the starting gear 27 and to permit ratcheting of the bolt 93, as already mentioned, in response to clockwise rotation of the starter shaft 51. Movement of the shift lever 42 to the neutral position displaces the profile 131 to withdraw the bolt 93 from the starter shaft recess 97 and thereby to permit free rotation in the counter clockwise direction which is effective to advance the starter pinion 53 to the position in engagement with the starting gear 27.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

We claim:

1. A marine propulsion device comprising an engine having a starting gear, a starter including a rotatable starter shaft having a recess with arcuately spaced ends, a pinion carried on said shaft for movement relative to said shaft and to an engaged position in mesh with said starting gear, means for rotating said starter shaft in opposite directions, cooperating means on said shaft and on said pinion for displacing said pinion to said engaged position in response to rotation of said shaft in one direction, and means cooperating with said shaft and including a selectively locatable bolt movable axially along a path in spaced parallel relation to a line extending radially from the axis of said starter shaft between a first position in said recess to prevent rotation of said starter shaft in said one direction and a second position out of said recess to permit rotation of said starter shaft, said bolt including a side surface engagable with one of said recess ends when said bolt is in said first position to thereby prevent rotation of said starter shaft in said one direction and said bolt including an end engagable with the other of said recess ends when said starter shaft is rotated in a direction opposite to said one direction to thereby displace said bolt outwardly of said recess from said first position.

2 Krfi ariiifiiop ulsion devi c e iii accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for displacing said pinion to said engaged position includes a drive pin on one of said shaft and said pinion and a slot in the other of said shaft and said pinion, said slot receiving said drive pin and including a portion extending in inclined relation to the axis of said shaft.

3. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and including means for biasing said bolt to said first position.

4. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said biasing means is a spring.

5. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 and further including a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and means connecting said transmission to said bolt for displacing said bolt to said second position against the action of said biasing means when said transmission is in neutral position, and for permitting displacement of said bolt to said first position under the action of said biasing means when said transmission is in a drive condition.

6. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said transmission includes a member movable between a drive position and a neutral position and wherein said connecting means includes a link which is pivotally connected to said member and which has a sliding connection with said bolt.

7. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said sliding connection includes a cam profile on said link and a follower on said bolt engaged with said cam. profile to displace said bolt to said second position when said transmission member is in neutral position and to allow said bolt to move to said first position when said transmission member is in said drive position.

8. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and bolt operating means connected between said transmission and said bolt for displacing said bolt to said first position when said transmission is in a drive condition and for displacing said bolt to said second position when said transmission is in neutral position.

9. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and means connecting said transmission to said sion is in neutral position. 

1. A marine propulsion device comprising an engine having a starting gear, a starter including a rotatable starter shaft having a recess with arcuately spaced ends, a pinion carried on said shaft for movement relative to said shaft and to an engaged position in mesh with said starting gear, means for rotating said starter shaft in opposite directions, cooperating means on said shaft and on said pinion for displacing said pinion to said engaged position in response to rotation of said shaft in one direction, and means cooperating with said shaft and including a selectively locatable bolt movable axially along a path in spaced parallel relation to a line extending radially from the axis of said starter shaft between a first position in said recess to prevent rotation of said starter shaft in said one direction and a second position oUt of said recess to permit rotation of said starter shaft, said bolt including a side surface engagable with one of said recess ends when said bolt is in said first position to thereby prevent rotation of said starter shaft in said one direction and said bolt including an end engagable with the other of said recess ends when said starter shaft is rotated in a direction opposite to said one direction to thereby displace said bolt outwardly of said recess from said one position.
 2. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 wherein said means for displacing said pinion to said engaged position includes a drive pin on one of said shaft and said pinion and a slot in the other of said shaft and said pinion, said slot receiving said drive pin and including a portion extending in inclined relation to the axis of said shaft.
 3. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and including means for biasing said bolt to said first position.
 4. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 wherein said biasing means is a spring.
 5. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 3 and further including a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and means connecting said transmission to said bolt for displacing said bolt to said second position against the action of said biasing means when said transmission is in neutral position, and for permitting displacement of said bolt to said first position under the action of said biasing means when said transmission is in a drive condition.
 6. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 5 wherein said transmission includes a member movable between a drive position and a neutral position and wherein said connecting means includes a link which is pivotally connected to said member and which has a sliding connection with said bolt.
 7. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 6 wherein said sliding connection includes a cam profile on said link and a follower on said bolt engaged with said cam profile to displace said bolt to said second position when said transmission member is in neutral position and to allow said bolt to move to said first position when said transmission member is in said drive position.
 8. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and bolt operating means connected between said transmission and said bolt for displacing said bolt to said first position when said transmission is in a drive condition and for displacing said bolt to said second position when said transmission is in neutral position.
 9. A marine propulsion device in accordance with claim 1 and further including a reversing transmission shiftable between a drive condition and a neutral condition, and means connecting said transmission to said bolt for displacing said bolt to said first position when said transmission is in a drive condition and for displacing said bolt to said second position when said transmission is in neutral position. 